Very interesting to see what Rockets' fans think about our chances to get into the playoffs.

They say pretty much the same things that we say, but it is interesting that 2-3 of their posters thought that Toronto could be one of the most improved teams in the league, or that we might be one of the surprising teams, in terms of doing well. However, I think they would peg an overachieving raptors team as a 7th seed as the ceiling.

"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon

1. Heat (duh)
2. Pacers (continue to grow internally, valuable playoff exp)
3. Bulls (still a good team without Rose, somehow believe they can be a top team)
4. Celtics (around what they were last year)
5. Knicks (full training camp and practice sched. under Woodson will do wonders, better bench)
6. Nets (not as good as everyone on here has them pegged--need a dominant big)
7. 76ers (Doug Collins - enough said)
8. Hawks (the loss of Johnson was eased by some saavy, under the radar moves)
9. Raptors (stone cold pimps, could easily be in the 7 or 8 spot, staying healthy is the key)
10. Wizards (this is John Wall's year to shine)
11. Bucks (If Ersan goes off, they will be better than this...but he might not get a touch all year with jennings and ellis at G)
12. Orlando (Howard is gone by start of season)
13. Cleveland (Dion Waiters was not the right choice, they will wait another year---but Bynum makes them a playoff team)
14. Detroit (will continue to suck until Tayhaun's contract is up)
15. Charlotte (might surprise people...by winning 15 games. MKG needs teamates before his impact is truly shown)

Nets at #2 and the Knicks at #3 seems to be the most realistic? Indiana finished with the third best record last year and didn't lose any of their key players, so not sure why they couldn't repeat or do better now that Chicago is without Rose.

Lots of love for the Nets from posters, but besides D. Will, JJ and Wallace, there isn't much talent there. Lopez is pretty solid, but is a poor rebounder for his size. Their bench is void of talent with the exception of Marshon Brooks.

Why would the Knicks be 3rd? They finished SEVENTH last year. Before Linsanity broke out, their record was 8-15. 8-15! Not only that, Landry Fields played the second most minutes for them, and they are replacing him with Ronnie Brewer, who is a good defender but cannot spread the floor even a little. Without Lin, they wouldn't have even made the playoffs, and they won't have him this year...

Why would the Knicks be 3rd? They finished SEVENTH last year. Before Linsanity broke out, their record was 8-15. 8-15! Not only that, Landry Fields played the second most minutes for them, and they are replacing him with Ronnie Brewer, who is a good defender but cannot spread the floor even a little. Without Lin, they wouldn't have even made the playoffs, and they won't have him this year...

Ya Fields' 25% 3pt percentage was really spreading the floor for the Knicks. What ever will they do now.

Agreed on the Nets. They'll no doubt be improved compared to last season, but I don't see them as a top 4 seed.

After Miami, it's hard to tell much about the 2nd tier teams. Indiana should be in there with Boston but there's a lot of uncertainty after those three teams (for me anyway). The Nets are basically a brand new team. The Knicks have lots of names but I am not sure the roster works. The Bulls could be fine without Rose but they could also fall apart with an injury or two. 76ers and Hawks won't be bad but they also have pretty firm ceilings.

As for the Raps, I think you're going to need 41+ wins to get in to the playoffs. Can't see this team winning that many games.
9th place?

Why would the Knicks be 3rd? They finished SEVENTH last year. Before Linsanity broke out, their record was 8-15. 8-15! Not only that, Landry Fields played the second most minutes for them, and they are replacing him with Ronnie Brewer, who is a good defender but cannot spread the floor even a little. Without Lin, they wouldn't have even made the playoffs, and they won't have him this year...

They also went 12-5 after Lin got hurt. 8-15 with Mike D'Antoni. 12-5 with Mike Woodson and No Lin.

Right now this team is on the Mike Woodson and No Lin side. Look, even if you take the average that's a 0.500 team. 0.500 record in the East is a playoff berth.

Nets at #2 and the Knicks at #3 seems to be the most realistic? Indiana finished with the third best record last year and didn't lose any of their key players, so not sure why they couldn't repeat or do better now that Chicago is without Rose.

Lots of love for the Nets from posters, but besides D. Will, JJ and Wallace, there isn't much talent there. Lopez is pretty solid, but is a poor rebounder for his size. Their bench is void of talent with the exception of Marshon Brooks.

Humphries can also contribute for the Nets and Brooks should lead the 2nd unit. They got Evans, Bogans and Watson who are fairly solid backups. You have 4 potential 20pt scorers and rebounders and interior defenders in evans and humpries.

The knicks have two contrasting PGs which i think will be to their advantage. Kidd can open up defenses with his 3s and Felton can open the perimeter with his slashing. i think they'll be deadlier now that they have a pass-first PG in Kidd, who can dish to shooters Novak and JR. Melo, Amare and Chandler are pretty much self explanatory.

Indiana was able to climb up last season due to the fact that the two teams i just mentioned didnt have the players that they have now. Indiana is solid, I dont think Mahinmi will make a big impact as much as the new players that the Knicks and Nets will have on their teams.

1.Heat-best in the east and got better
2.Celtics - pickup of terry/lee is an improvement (could drop if garnett is banged up)
3.Pacers - continued growth will keep them top tier
4.Bulls - if rose is healthy
5.Nets - team is better, but not top 4, still has weak points
6. Cavaliers - going to take a huge step forward (again if players are healthy)
7. Raptors
8.Magic- if howard stays, should sneak in
9.Bucks
10.Hawks - regressing
11.Wizards - should be improved, had a solid draft
12.Knicks - going to drop, team is an older version of itself from 3 years ago, let promising young players go for nothing
13. Sixers - taking steps back
14.Pistons - a mess
15.Bobcats- continue to ride the caboose of the su

Teams that are locks to make the playoffs:
2. Pacers: excellent depth, solid at every position
3. Celtics: nice mix of youth and experience

Teams that should make the playoffs, but are one key injury away from dropping out:
4. Bulls: weaker bench, the loss of Rose is huge, but they've got experience, good coaching, and chemistry, which is more that 5-15 have.
5. Nets: The Heat have shown us that a few superstars can make up for a complete lack of depth. The Knicks have shown us that a few not-quite-superstars won't overcome a lack of depth. Nets are closer to the Knicks than the Heat in terms of team composition.
6. Knicks: Will improve on last year if everyone stays healthy (might be a lot to ask), but I still don't see them having any on-court chemistry. Just an awful mix of players.

Teams that will not finish with top four seeding, but could be in the mix for a playoff spot:
7. Raptors: A full season of Bargnani, plus the additions of Lowry and Valanciunas might be just enough to make the playoffs.
8. Magic: There's skill there, but I think the Howard sideshow hampers them all season long. The sooner they can move him and be done with it, the better.
9. Wizards: I love their offseason, but it'll take some time. I'd expect them to be in the bottom three by all-star break, but have a strong second-half.
10. Cavs: player growth will be solid, but not outstanding.
11. Hawks: They're going to drop, the question is how far.
12. Sixers: They did very little to improve compared to other teams.
13. Bucks: Not a good offseason, as much as I like them keeping Ilyasova.

Teams that will be in tank mode by the all-star break:
14. Pistons: I think this will be the low point in their rebuild.
15. Bobcats: Maybe this is their year... to win the lottery.

Assuming, Dwight doesn't get traded, the only change to the playoff teams will be New Jersey replacing Philly and that's it.

There really, wasn't a lot of major change in the east. Atlanta, didn't regress merely treading water. Chicago, will still overachieve, simply because of their style of play. Orlando with Dwight is still a 6-8 seed...unless their drama shit really hits the fan...

I can see the Raps clinging on to the 8th seed or dropping out of the playoffs if we suffer any key injuries.
And this is assuming Demar doesn't improve, Calderon not being traded, Bargs playing around 60 games and us not making any major transactions.